Another season opens at historical field

Colin told me after Friday night’s ceremony that he is proud of the field’s heritage.

Earlier in the evening, he had led the players and parents in reciting the Little League Pledge, which begins, “I trust in God. I love my country. And I will respect its laws.”

“I have five men here as coaches or board members who played college baseball,” Colin said. “They came here because they want to teach courage, commitment and loyalty first — then baseball. The objective of this league is to create champions.”

Colin told me about the day when he and the other Bonsall Little League officials went scouting for a new place to play ball.

Bonsall school officials were renovating, and the league’s original field was not part of the plan. So they arrived at Zeke Weaver’s old dugouts and bleachers — again in a state of disrepair after more years of neglect.

“We drove by this one day and scratched our heads — weeds, dirt, nobody wanted it,” Colin said. “We spent three years cleaning it up, it’s been laser-leveled, and now …”

He stole an admiring glance around the field, humming with activity.

“This used to be a Little League town,” he said. “This is a beautiful field. It’s the best place to watch a game on Saturday. It’s about baseball.”